Chairperson of Donegal Policing Committee Cllr Gerry Mc Monagle says is very alarmed and disappointed at the statistics released by Donegal Gardai in relation to how many drink-drivers had been detected by Gardai over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Cllr Mc Monagle was speaking after Inspector Michael Harrison revealed that Drink Driving detections in the County had doubled on the same time last year.
“This is a very worrying development especially after all the publicity and resources that has been put into raising awareness to the dangers of Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs”
“Gardai had embarked Nationally and locally on a Safer Driving Campaign leading up to the Bank Holiday Weekend especially around Drink Driving. We had five young people die on our roads in the week leading up to the Bank Holiday and yet people are still Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol”.
“The Gardai are to be commended for the work that they do in detecting and highlighting the dangers of Drink and Drug driving here in the county.”
Cllr Mc Monagle concluded that this is a culture that we have to change.
“It is not ok to Drink and Drive, their is nothing cool about it, it ruins peoples lives either through accidents on our roads or through people losing their livelihoods through being caught Drink Driving and as a result, being banned from driving”.
I would appeal to those who are still driving after consuming alcohol to think again and to act responsibly, arrange for dedicated driver or take a taxi home. Leave the car at home and dont be tempted to Drink and Drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and has lead to many deaths on our roads. So act responsibly and leave the car at home when your socialising or face the consequences which will be life changing,” he added.